are-able

Who we are

are-able began in 1989 to help people with disability find open employment. Open employment means paid jobs in regular workplaces, alongside workers without disability. In its first year, the organisation employed three people. Over more than 30 years, it has helped over 40,000 people find meaningful and inclusive work.

The organisation's purpose is to improve people's lives through work, education, and connection. It also aims to strengthen the local communities where those people live. are-able serves job seekers, including people with disability, young people, and school leavers, as well as the employers who hire them. It has a strong focus on regional areas.

are-able is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), the national regulator of charities. It is certified against several quality standards, including the NDIS Practice Standards and the National Standards for Disability Services. It also meets ISO/IEC 27001, an international standard for keeping information secure. The organisation is currently moving its certifications across from WDEA Works to the are-able name.

What we do

Employment services
are-able helps people find and keep work through government-funded programs. It delivers Inclusive Employment Australia, a national program that supports people with disability, injury, or illness into work. It also delivers Workforce Australia, the government's main employment program, as well as Transition to Work for young people and Career Transition Assistance for older job seekers. Employers can use are-able's recruitment services to find staff.

NDIS services
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the government scheme that funds support for people with disability. are-able offers NDIS plan management, which means paying providers and tracking spending on a participant's behalf. Its School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) help young people with disability move from school into work. It also runs activities funded through the NDIS.

Education and training
are-able Education and Training is a registered training organisation (RTO). An RTO is approved to deliver nationally recognised qualifications, and are-able is regulated by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority. are-able is also a Learn Local provider. This means the Victorian Government funds it to run pre-accredited training, which is short courses that build skills and confidence before formal study.

Community programs
are-able runs social enterprises, which are businesses that trade to create social benefit. These include e-waste services that collect and treat old electrical equipment safely. The organisation also offers wellbeing services. Through the are-able Foundation, it puts funding back into regional communities.

are-able works closely with local employers, industry groups, schools, community services, and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and psychologists. It also works with government, including the NDIS, local councils, and the federal departments responsible for employment and social services.